Surgery is scheduled-recovery time question?

[tsm1110]

I am now scheduled for a small bowel resection surgery on April 2nd.Looks like about 6-7 inches will have to be removed.I am nervous but i think this surgery will help.I have a lot of scar tissue and a fistula that connects the loops of bowel and medication will not help this.So after speaking with my GI i decided to go for a surgical consult.I think it will be better for me to elect to have the surgery rather then to wait until i have a full obstruction and have to have emergency surgery.The pain i was having every 2 months is now happening every 4wks.This way it will be done laparoscopic and recovery should be shorter if it all goes well.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

It's ok to be nervous. And I think you are right, better to have a say in it than to have it forced upon you. It gives you more time to mentally prepare and to prepare in other ways as well.

I hope this surgery turns out to be very successful for you! Be sure to keep us updated on your progress

:hug:

 

[leithcote]

I know surgery can be daunting, especially if you haven't had any before. But, I have to say, having an ileocolic resection (last year) was for me the best choice I could have made. It definitely sounds like you made a decision, and elective surgery is *always* better than emergency surgery.
Best of wishes - and keep us informed of your progress.
Tony.

 

[tsm1110]

well the surgery is coming up fast.i was hoping to get some info on recovery time for laparoscopic.i was told i would be in the hospital for 4 days and a total of 2-3wks out of work.but i was wondering about the healing time at home.as of now i have put in for 3 weeks vacation hoping that will give me enough time to feel well enough to go to work.i don't have a very physical job right now.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Im going to request a rename of this thread to see if you can collect some information on recovery time.

Best of luck!

 

[leithcote]

Everyone is different - and some heal a little quicker than others. I would definitely count on the full 3 weeks for recovery, and I would tentatively suggest that you'll need at least 4. When you do go back to work, you'll need to take it very easy. It took me around 8 weeks to get back to something resembling my 'normal' self. However, as I've said - each of us are different. Best of luck with the operation, and to a rapid recovery. Tony.

well the surgery is coming up fast.i was hoping to get some info on recovery time for laparoscopic.i was told i would be in the hospital for 4 days and a total of 2-3wks out of work.but i was wondering about the healing time at home.as of now i have put in for 3 weeks vacation hoping that will give me enough time to feel well enough to go to work.i don't have a very physical job right now.

 

[tsm1110]

thank you tony for sharing your experience.i am just trying to prepare myself the best i can.

 

[Grumbletum]

Hi there. I agree with Tony, 4 weeks would probably be better to be on the safe side. My surgery was laparoscopic too. I had uneventful surgery and recovery, but still needed painkillers on and off for about 3 weeks post op which surprised me a bit and I didn't feel ready to drive til the end of the third week either.
Hope it all goes well for you.

 

[tsm1110]

thank you helen.i am hoping that my overall health now will help in a quicker recovery.i am 36yrs old,i maintain a healthy weight,i eat well and i exercise daily.but like many have said,everyone is different.

 

[2thFairy]

Even once you are feeling mostly pain free, you will still tire out very quickly...especially once being back at work. Like others said, I would also ask for 4 weeks off.

 

[tsm1110]

Ok.i did it.i had 6" of my terminal ileum removed.my surgeon said i made the right decision as that section was in terrible shape and would have created big issues down the road if I waited too long.that made me feel good.i couldn't of asked for a better surgical team.i was kept informed on everything and every morning i was given my orders.(walking for 10-15 mins 3xday and sitting in a chair after walks.originally they said they expected surgery to last about 3hrs and it was all over in 1.5hrs.i was also told i would be in the hospital from tues -sat morning and I was cleared to go home thurs night.they made sure everything was working again and that I could handle light meals. I would like to say thank you to those of you who shared there experiences with me and gave me the confidence to have this surgery.now I am relaxing at home doing short walks and eating a very low fiber diet.the pain is manageable and getting better everyday.my biggest issue was dealing with gas pressure before my first decent bowel movement.

 

[Steven]

Glad to see your resection surgery went smooth... Thanks for sharing your experience.. I am sched'd for my resection this Wed. i hope mine is as smooth as yours..

 

[leithcote]

tsm110 - Great news! You've now got a fabulous excuse to sit down and catch up on all those TV series you've been meaning to watch - *take it easy*.

 

[leithcote]

Steven - hope the "op" goes well for you too - best of luck for a similarly speedy recovery.

Tony.

 

[SusanWellmann]

Glad to see your resection surgery went smooth... Thanks for sharing your experience.. I am sched'd for my resection this Wed. i hope mine is as smooth as yours..

I am going for my surgery tomorrow, same surgery as yours..I am nervous, need to get to sleep, but instead on here reading surgery stories. I hope your surgery goes well, and I hope mine goes well. I will try and post my experience when I feel up to it. Good luck :ghug:

 

[Steven]

I am going for my surgery tomorrow, same surgery as yours..I am nervous, need to get to sleep, but instead on here reading surgery stories. I hope your surgery goes well, and I hope mine goes well. I will try and post my experience when I feel up to it. Good luck :ghug:

I wish you the best.. I'm a bit nervous too.. Get some rest and keep us posted.. As I will try and do the same..

 

[2thFairy]

Best wishes SusanWellmann and Steven!!

 

[tsm1110]

Good luck Susan and Steven.i am doing better everyday and only take pain meds before bed.

 

[tsm1110]

well its been 3 weeks now since my surgery and i am feeling pretty good.Today is my first day back to work.I have already been back to the gym several times to do a light work out and to run on the treadmill.My diet is back to normal and i have no restrictions since 2 weeks after the surgery.I actually ate a full rack of baby back ribs this past weekend and I didn't have the usual cramping and pain after a big meal that i have had for the past few years which is nice.I had a follow up appointment with my surgeon 10 days after surgery and he was amazed how well i was moving around.The only thing that's a little irritating it my incision rubbing on my shirt but that's getting better everyday.As per the surgeons order I had to stop taking the 6 mp and pentasa for now to heal but my GI wants me start back up again in the next few weeks along with my remicade infusions which my next one is scheduled for may 3rd.